Crawling toy



"Dec, 27, 1955 R W. @.ER 2,728,168

CRAWLING TOY Filed Dec. 8, 1953 FI G5. 44 RICHARDJN/NJR \29 www so ATTO N E Y United States Patent() CRAWLING TOY Richard W. Gier, Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Application December 8, 1953, Serial No. 396,800 3 Claims. (Cl. 46-103) This invention relates to amusement devices and more particularly to those of the type termed travelling or mechanically operated toys and has for its object the provision of a new and improved device for entertaining that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved mechanical toy that will be capable of travelling along a surface in the fashion of a multifooted animal of elongated body.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved mechanical toy employing a vacuum cup footed mechanism that will operate effectively and automatically implant and release its vacuum cups in cooperative relation to its positions as it travels along.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is more fully described.

It is practically appreciated that toys employing vacuum cupped pedal extremities as a means for propulsion are more or less subject to imperfections that lower the effectiveness of their travelling operations. The porosity and irregularities of the surfaces of the cups as they contact the planes or surface over which the device travels reduce their adhesive qualities by causing air leaks or diffusion that break the vacuum, sooner or later, and the cups tend to stick to the surface at the end of the stroke and temporarily hold and stop the movement of the toy until the vacuum is broken. This makes the movements and operation of the toy erratic and unsatisfactory. In the operation of the devices, such as those having the form and effects of a live crawling caterpillar, the use of vacuum cups along a flat area causes the following eiects: ln the first place, a motor, such as one of the spring actuated type is included in the housing of the toy and a belt-like strap having a series of vacuum cups projected downwardly from it, from one end to the other. The first set of vacuum cups (single cup if there is only one row of them) at the front end of the device is implanted first against the surface and adheres to it while held in that position. However the motor propels the strap and moves the cups along as they are brought over the arcuate plane of the front end idler.

These vacuum cups travel towards the rear of the body and are brought over the rear roller or idler and release themselves. However it is common for the rearwardly positioned vacuum cups to stick too long. This may be severe enough to stress the motor too much and stop it. Likewise the vacuum cups at the front end of the device may not adhere sufficiently. This may be due to their dryness and poor contact. To overcome these difficulties, provision is made in this invention to moisten the vacuum cups just prior to their contact with the surface at the front end over which the device travels. This makes them adhere effectively. The vacuum contact is positively released at the rear end by providing a lifter on the body of the toy that lifts the rear vacuum is rotatively propelled r ICC cups as they reach a predetermined position adjacent the rear.

For a better understanding of the invention and its objects reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein a particular form of the invention is shown by way of example. These drawings in conjunction with the following description outline the principle and mode of operation and otherwise explain the features of the invention.

In the drawings: y

Figure 1 is a side view of a toy caterpillar embodying this invention; n j

Figure 2 is a longitudinal elevation'of the removable frame and operating mechanism of this embodiment;

Figure 3 is a transverse elevation or end view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail of the vacuum cup lifter used in this embodiment; y

Figure 5 is a detail of the pedal extremitiesof another form embodying this invention; and

Figure 6 is a detail of a modified form of the rear-end of theframe and lifter mechanism. l y

Similar reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the drawings. f v

The construction shown invthe ldrawings illustrates a travelling toy'device in the form of a caterpillar intended to crawl overa surface. It consists of a shell or outer skin 10 formed of rubberlike material into a replica of a fanciful body of a caterpillar. It has ribs or sections 11 more or less flexible and a typical head 12 at its front end and a hornlke tail 15 at the other end. v A

The shell is hollow and contains' a framework'l for,v supporting it. The framework 13 has a'pair of symmetrical side walls 14 perforated at various locations and provided with lugs `for maintaining the incidental parts and shafts used as an operatingmechanism foi-'the device. Suitable cross plates 17 preferably of hard rubber are used to keep the walls 14 separated but held securely together. The mechanism consists of an endless travelling chain or belt 18 supported and actuated lon a forward drum 19 and rear end drum 20. These drums are mounted on shafts 21 and 22 respectively journalled in their appropriate holes in the side walls 14 of the frame. The belt or chain 18 is arranged with slots or grooves 23 on its inner surface adapted for engagement with teeth 24 peripherally positioned on the drums 19 and 20. A motor 25 of the spring actuated type is installed in the framework 13 with a shaft 26 and gearing train 27 incorporated in its mechanism and designed to rotate the front drum 19. The rotation of the drum in the direction noted by an arrow in the drawings, is induced by this motor and mechanism, and in turn moves the belt 18 along the upper and lower longitudinal areas of the shell 10.

The belt 18 carries a series of spaced caterpillar feet 28 along its peripheral surface. They are suspended therefrom by flexible shanks 29. The face of each foot 28 is depressed or hollowed out to form a vacuum cup 30. These cups engage with the surface over which the device travels and provide a substantial traction for its movement over it. The cups are preferably bevelled along their sides as illustrated. They are made of some rubberlike material to provide the usual vacuum cup effect. The belt carries the vacuum cups in a plane that brings them close against the surface travelled on, under pressure, so their first contact will be more positively engaged. As these vacuum cups travel to the rear of the shell 10, they are gradually raised until the rear end is reached. This rise may be from 5 to 20. At this location a hump or lobe 31 formed on the shell with a lifter 16 is impressed against the ground so as to exert leverage on the vacuum cups as they approach and pass over the lifter 16. VThen these cups have their vacuum broken and proceed over the drum 20 without dragging. In order to provide a good vacuum Contact to the feet as they engage the ground at the front of the device, they are rubbed against a fiat wet sponge pad 33 mounted on the shell 10. This provides a moistened vacuum cup that adheres quickly and readily to a flat surface. This sponge is mounted on a suitable holder k34 attached to the inside of the shell 10.

' In the operation of the device the motor 25 is wound and released to rotate its gearing train 27 and in turn the drum 19. This drum through its teeth engages the grooves 23 of the belt .1.8 and propels the latter. The belt brings the vacuum cups 30 into contact with the ground and aifords traction to move the caterpillar along. the cups 30 approach the rear drum 20 they are gradually allowed to rise and extend themselves so they will not be pressed so heavily against the ground. Then when the lobe 3 1 and lifter 16 is reached, the pressure of the latter on the ground as it is drawn forward puts leverage pressure on the cups and causes them to break vacuum. This is continued indefinitely until the motor stops,

The arrangement described enables the device to operate in a very natural manner.

In the modified detail shown in Figure 6 the lifter mechanism consists of a lever 35 and is pivoted on a pin on a bracket 37 attached to the inside of the shell 1 0 at the rear end. A fiat spring 38 tensions the lever by pressing on a pin 3 9. This tends to keep the curved portion 40 against the arms 42 of a tripodial wheel 41 as it rotates against it. When the arms of the wheel 41 are pressed against the portion 40 they move the lever 35 So its .curved and .tapered litter 43 iS forced under the vacuum Cup 30 as it reaches the rear end'. The movement of the lifter is Synchronized. to the travelY of the vacuum cups 30 so it will raise an edge of the vacuum cup and break its vacuum. This enables the c UP to travel manine around the idler 20 without offering an adhering re- 30 sistance.

ln Figure 5 a pedal extremity is indicated employing a plurality of vacuum oups 30 mounted on exible Shanks 29 with the latter secured across the belt 18 on a cross bar 44. This form of traction is employed where more stability is required-for the toy as it travels across a surface.

While but two general forms of the invention are shown in the drawings and described in the specification, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to these particular forms as it is appreciated that other forms could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is;

l. A toy simulating a crawling caterpillar and cont-` prising a hollow elongated shell, a framework mounted on said shell, an endless belt mounted on said framework, means for driving said belt, a plurality of flexibly mounted suction cups, spaced apart and facing outwardly y of the belt, whereby the toy advances along a flat surface, a moistening device carried by the shell at the leading end of the toy to contact and moisten each cup serially to enhance the suction thereof, and a spur ele.- ment carried by the shell at the trailing end thereof, said element being directed towards the cups and constantly resting on the fiat surface to lift up the travelling cups serially from the said surface and break their vacuum.

2. A toy as set forth in claim l, wherein the means for `driving the belt consist of a motor carried by the.

framework, spaced fore and aft drums at each end of the belt, a shaft for each drum and a connection between the motor and the aft drum,

3. A toy as set forth in claim 2, including a spoke wheel mounted Quand rotating with the shaft of the aft drum, whereby said wheel is synchronized with the belt and suction cups carried thereby, the` aforesaid spur element having a pivotal connection with the shell'and an extension contacted serially by the spokes o f `the wheel, to rockv the spur element and raise each trailing cup to break its vacuum as it nears the said spur element.

References Cited inthe tile o f this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,828,288 Marx Oct. 20, 1931 2,232,615 Kupka Feb. i8, 1941 2,618,889 Wigal Nov. 25, 1952 

